A new book about the life of Tyneside artist Thomas Bewick will be available from the end of this month.

A new book about the life of Tyneside artist Thomas Bewick will be available from the end of this month.

Born in 1753, he lived and worked all his life within sight of the River Tyne. He died in 1828.

The book outlines his eventful journey from the family farm in Northumberland to the workshop in Newcastle, where he was to perfect the art of wood engraving and revolutionise the illustration of natural history.

A spokesman said: "His images of animals and birds and his affectionate vignettes are familiar everywhere."

The book, titled Thomas Bewick, has been put together by Douglas Glendinning, Anna Flowers and Anthony Flowers. It will be available from July 31, priced &#xA3;6.99.